The Lagos State Government has said the recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which bars the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles or imposing fines, does not extend to Lagos State.
The state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the judgment is restricted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with no legal bearing on Lagos or other states.
The court ruling in Abuja, delivered by Justice Evelyn Maha, found that no specific law empowers the VIO in Abuja to stop or impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists.
However, Osiyemi said in a statement that:
“Following the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja barring the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists and whether the VIO in Lagos State or that of other States would be affected by the decision;
• It is important to note and be informed that a Court has limits of its territorial jurisdiction, and in this case, the judgment is restricted to Abuja.
• It is also important to know the rationale of the judgment of Hon. Justice Evelyn Maha in the fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023. The rationale is that there is no law which empowers the VIO in Abuja to stop, impound seize, or impose fines on motorists, whereas in Lagos State, there is the Transport Sector Reform Law of Lagos State (TSRL-2018) which dictates; Part II, Section 11-22 of the law to the establishment, duties and power of VIO in the State, with the penalties or fines that can be imposed for traffic violations as contained in schedule of the law (violations-1-52)
• Therefore the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State.
“Motorists in Lagos State are advised to continue to be law abiding, uphold the TSRL, and respect the VIO.”
Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi,
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation
